The annual Queen's Day public holiday features various activities to celebrate the Queen's birthday. now held in February or March to enable a produce show to be held in the austral late Summer/Early Autumn.

Event News

Queens' Days, 2006 to 2010

Queen's Day 2010

Held on Thursday 8th April
Pictures and Report from Jeremy Peychaud

Tristan Tigers
won the football match 7-0 on the American Fence school field
where local tactics come into play coping with the slope
and uneven surface!

 

 

 

The morning fishing competition was won by Robin Repetto who caught a 108cm long yellowtail.

Along with Ratting Day, Tristan's other major contribution to the development of world competitive sport is the locally invented game of 'Football Rounders' which enables sides of mixed sex and ages to compete together when numbers are low and the surface uneven. See picture left.

Early afternoon featured games for children and adults. Three of the children's races are shown above
which were followed by adult competitions including throwing events.

Queen's Day 2009

Report and pictures from Administrator David Morley

Queen’s Day was held on Friday 27 March and was blessed with superb weather. The day started with the Fishing Competition for adults and children. Later during the morning the usual competitions were held at St Mary’s School (best cake, garments, vegetables, plants and flowers etc). The judges this year were locum Dr Carl plus three of the Sea and Shore visitors Margaret Adam, Mary Holiday and Miranda Middel.

Left : Atlantic Fresh's food stall outside St Mary's School

Right: The sack race prepares
for the off -
note the temporary huts and
construction crane on the harbourside below

Jane ran the Café from the School Kitchen offering cooling soft drinks and Atlantic Fresh offered their usual delicious food (chili, burgers, hot dogs and traditional desserts) throughout the day

Left : Tristan avoided any
military action in both World Wars, but here Tristan men test one
another's strength in a tug of war

Right : Welly wanging in the American Fence school field

After lunch the sports competitions got under way. The children threw themselves into their range of activities with their usual excitement and enthusiasm. For adults the Tug of War proved popular, as did the Welly Throwing and the Sack Race. The featured event was a 5 a side soccer match for the Table Bay Marine (TBM) Cup. The afternoon was rounded off by a Football Rounders competition. Many here regard Football Rounders as the traditional Tristan game, and it was good to see it back on the programme.

Prize giving followed, with David Morley acting as MC and Fathers Chris Brown and Peter Norris (Catholic padre visiting from the Falklands ) presenting the prizes. Dancing got under way thereafter.

Photos of the prize giving
in Prince Philip Hall ~

Above centre :
Left to right :
MC David Morley
Peter Norris
Father Chris Brown

In the evening the Administrator offered his traditional Reception at Prince Philip Hall. David waived his usual speech in order to announce the sad passing of retired Governor John Massingham, who visited Tristan in 1982 and 1983. David also announced the better news that the RMS is returning in 2011, thanks to a decision by Governor Andrew Gurr and the St Helena Government. The National Anthem was sung and the loyal toast proposed.

Queen's Day 2008

Easter Monday 24th March

 Queen's Day 2008 was organised to enable the Task Force aboard RFA Lyme Bay to pause from their labours in re-building Calshot harbour to join the Tristan community join in a special loyal celebration together.

Queen's Day Report from Administrator David Morley

When Chief Islander Connie Glass rang the dong at 0600 to indicate Queens Day some thought him rather optimistic. But the proceedings commenced in dry if overcast conditions with the ceremony outside Prince Philip Hall to bestow the Freedom of Tristan da Cunha upon the Task Force, following which the visitors demonstrated their military prowess by marching around the Settlement and delivering a Salute to the Administrator and the Chief Islander during a march past the Administration Building. Shortly after the parade was dismissed, the heavens opened and the rain poured down. However, the showers passed quickly and by late morning the busy Queens Day programme was steaming ahead. The fishing competitions (adult and children) were under way, the soccer pitch was being prepared and the School Hall was filling with the exhibits for the various shows. By lunchtime the skies had cleared and a lovely day was in prospect.

Left :
Certificates presented to The Joint Operation Zest Task Force conferring their Freedom of Tristan da Cunha

Photographs from James Glass showing

Tristan's Administrator David Morley with Chief Islander Conrad Glass

presenting Task Force Commanders
Major Mike Forster (Left)
and Captain Paddy McAlpine (right)
with model longboats
and the Freedom of Tristan da Cunha
in the School Hall on Queen's Day 2008

While the Atlantic Fresh ladies prepared lunch, the children's’ sports and games got under way. The Tug of War competition between Tristan and the Royal Engineers attracted great excitement, especially when the islanders’ team comprehensively defeated the visitors. Meanwhile the team of judges was busily examining the show exhibits and entries, ranging from art to potatoes. Thanks go to Father Chris, Doctor Carel and the Task Force Nurses Amanda, Chippy and Catherine plus James Glass who diligently carried out their judging duties.

Lunch was served, and everyone enjoyed some excellent food, including chilli and rice, burgers and chips, pizza, sausages and hot dogs followed by a range of traditional desserts, washed down by a soft drink.

The high spot of the afternoon, which cased a great deal of excitement amongst the younger members of the community, was the “Children’s Excavator Challenge”, which allowed the kids to try their hand at moving a bucket of water from A to B while at the controls of two of the Engineers’ JCB diggers. All the while under the careful control of the Sappers, of course.

The afternoons’ events culminated in a soccer match between Tristan and our visitors, which resulted in a convincing victory for the Engineers. But honours can be considered as even, given the Tug of War result earlier in the day.


     

Football Match Images


Clockwise :
Checking the nets;
Admin & Major Mike Forster look on;
The winning Task Force side
in two pictures;
and Referee Sapper Gillot

 
     

Images from
the produce, cake and
handicraft show
held in
St Mary's School Hall



A day off at last for
the Task Force :

Left : Corporal Harrison et al On the swings

Right : Medics enjoying the fun

 

Children's Sports
on American Fence
featuring the annual sack race

 



More children's sports photos.

(left, right and below)


from James Glass

   
     


Men's Tug of War
photographed
by James Glass

At 1900 the Administrator’s Reception commenced at the School Hall, with music provided by Sapper Bunn. Prize giving intervened, as well as the raffle draw. Captain Paddy McAlpine presented the prizes assisted by Connie Glass and Major Mike Forster. The winners are listed below. Debbie Elsmore won top raffle prize, a free trip to Cape Town courtesy of Ovenstone Agencies.

The Administrator then formally presented the Task Force Command with certificates of Freedom of Tristan, copies of which will be distributed to every member of the Force. David Morley also presented each of the three Commanders with a model Tristan longboat, as a memento of their visit and a big thank you for the work they have carried out. In response, Captain McAlpine presented Connie Glass with a Royal Engineering plaque in memory of their visit.

The Administrator proposed the Loyal Toast, which was followed by the National Anthem. Dancing then got under way and carried on into the small hours. All in all, a fine day’s entertainment enjoyed by everyone who attended. The Administrator wishes to thank all those who worked so hard to make the event a success, especially the Task Force, whose enthusiastic support and participation made Queens Day 2008 one to remember.

God Save the Queen!

 

 

 

 

Prize Giving
in the School Hall -
see results below

     

 

and finally ...

over to you Sapper Bunn
to provide music
for the Queen Day's Dance

Queen's Day 2008 Competition Results

Produce Show

Best Cabbage – Herbert Swain

Best 3 Onions – Dereck Rogers

Best 4 tomatoes – Cliff Swain

Best Pot Plant – Joyce Hagan

Garden Flowers arrangement – Debbie Elsmore

Wild Flowers arrangement (Adult) – Emma Rogers

(Children) – Kelly Swain

Heaviest potato –

White Blossom - Tristan

Smooth Skin – Allan Green

Darius – Ronald Rogers


Handicrafts
Art Classes

Knitted Garment – Rita Repetto

Socks – Debbie Swain

Coffee Cake – Felicity Glass

Playgroup – Dillon Green

Class 1-2 – Rhyanna Swain

Class 3 – Dean Repetto

Class 4 – Danny Swain

Adult – Debbie Elsmore

Sports

Adult Sack Race

Men – Nicky Swain

Women – Kirsty Green

Throwing the Sea boot

Men – Warren Glass

Women – Denise Rogers

Fishing competition

Adults – Steve Swain (41,5 cm)

Children – Julian Repetto (31.7cm)

Queen's Day 2007

held on

Saturday 31st March



The Ladies Tug of War
held on the American Fence
field in front of St Mary's School


Left : The Atlantic Fresh Catering Company's Food Stall
doing a brisk trade

Right : Spectators in front of
St Mary's School overlook
the action on American Fence

Running
Men: First Prize: Nicholas Swain
Second Prize: Shane Green
Ladies: First Prize: Kirsty Green
Second Prize: Glenda Swain

 

The Children's Sack Race
is always a favourite to watch

Best Home Made Chocolate Cake
First Prize: Mary Lavarello
Second Prize: Darren Repetto
Heaviest New Potato
White Blossom:
First Prize: Jeremy Green (795gm) Second Prize: Ken Green (790gm)
Smoothskin:
First Prize: Nicole Glass (770gm)
Second Prize: Iris Green (510gm)

Best Garden Flower Arrangement
First Prize: Rachel Green
Second Prize: Miranda Repetto

Art and Craft Display
Judging by Administrator Mike Hentley, Dr Carel and Ingrid Van der Merwe and Monsignor Michael McPartland of the school art and craft display

     

Beach Fishing
Adults: First Prize: Shane Green (110.5cm) Second Prize: Robin Repetto (99cm)
Children: First Prize: Danny Swain (56.5cm) Second Prize: Julian Repetto (52cm)

Photo right shows Shane with
the winning catch

Hand Line Casting
Men: First Prize: Larry Swain
Second Prize: Shane Green
Ladies: First Prize: Denise Rogers
Second Prize: Elizabeth Rogers

Photo left shows Robin Repetto with his
second prize fish

The Darts competition in full flight!


Mike Hentley
announces the winners
and prepares for the raffle
in the Prince Philip Hall
where an evening dance was held

Best Knitted Item
First Prize: Catherine Glass (Sweater) Second Prize: Emma Rogers (Shawl)

Best Knitted Socks
First Prize: Sheila Glass
Second Prize: Dorothy Rogers


Best Home Made Potato Crisps

First Prize: Joanne Green
Second Prize: Elizabeth Rogers

Best Pot Plant
First Prize: Debbie Swain
Second Prize: Daphne Repetto

Best Garden Flower Arrangement
First Prize: Rachel Green
Second Prize: Miranda Repetto

Golf Putting
Men: First Prize: Steve Swain
Second Prize: Darren Repetto

Ladies: First Prize: Emma Rogers
Second Prize: Donna Rogers
Administrator Mike Hentley published the following on a public notice on Monday 2nd April :
A big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the success of Queen’s Day. Well done to the event organisers, judges and participants, and to all who helped behind the scenes at the reception and dance in the evening - and at the subsequent clearing up the following day. It was a fun day, and your hard work and efforts are much appreciated
Thanks to Thierry Assef for all the photographs of Queen's Day 2007

Queen's Day 2006

Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 80th Birthday

At an evening reception Islanders toasted Her Majesty's 80th Birthday. A produce and cookery show was held in St Mary's School. Judge Mary Wittich (wife of Father Don, a former Anglican pastor who has returned for a 4 month temporary assignment) prepares to judge some of the home made potato crisps and chocolate cakes entered in the cooking competition

The 2006 Tristan Open

Gerry Repetto prepares to tee off as Peter Swain returns from his round on Hottentot Fence. Golf on Tristan is handicapped by protruding volcanic boulders which can send a golf ball in any direction, including straight backwards, green mowing c/o the local dairy herd, and of course cow pats. Local by laws prevented keen players mowing beyond 1 metre from the hole when tournaments were organised in the 1980s.Tristan Golf Club ties are occasionally sold on Ebay for St Andrews prices!